Many-a-times I am always
asked by friends about my favorite place in India, and each time I would
answered with Rajasthan, I would be
met with a surprised reply ‘What about
Taj Mahal in Agra? Or New Delhi?’ While, my month-long initial trip to
India took me to many breathtaking places which also has given me so much
cultural and spiritual widening experiences such as Varanasi,
Agra, Cochin, Mumbai
and Kolkata - the places I visited in the state of Rajasthan left a collection
of fascinating images in my mind; of stunning desert landscapes, grandiose
forts and palaces, colorful bazaars, friendly people and delicious food.
A
Place fit for a Maharaja
The state of Rajasthan and
its various cities were ruled by a succession of Mahārāja (Sanskrit for “High King”) and during these centuries
up to the 18th century, these rulers who ruled many kingdoms across
Rajasthan left a number of forts and palaces that now stands as a fascinating
reminder of those glorious past.
The grandness of these
structures which up to now are well conserved, also influenced many hotels and
accommodations in Rajasthan. A number of places such as the world-acclaimed Trident Gurgaon dishes a royal-like atmosphere to its guests, thereby
making them feel like a modern day Maharaja when it comes to enjoying the fine
comforts and kingly treatment – these world class hotels in Maharaja provides.
A
Sense of History everywhere
Whether walking along the
crowded streets of the different cities in Rajasthan, to exploring the every
corners of the many stellar forts and palaces in places like Udaipur,
Jaisalmer, Jaipur and Jodphur (cities in Rajasthan which I visited), one never
runs out of picking up new found historical and cultural knowledge.
Accompanying all these
information jamboree that quickly fills your mind, are equally striking
sceneries such as the famed blue city of Jodphur and the pink city of Jaipur
just to state these two – among the many visual highlights I have witnessed in
the state of Rajasthan.
Desert
Landscape is a charm
One of my fondest memory
of Rajasthan was when we embarked on a two day desert camping trip in Jaisalmer.
It was here where I saw the finest sand dunes that stretches as far as my eyes
can see. Appearing so golden under the afternoon sky, we slept over it on a
thin mattress and under the ceiling of the nighttime stars and the shine of the
moon, I slept soundly – only to be awoken by the hiss of the cold wind and the
spectacular sight of the rising sun, slowly inching upwards over the glowing
sands in the foreground.
I could never think of any
other way to top this desert jaunt than experiencing this memorable moment with
a new set of friends composed of like-minded wanderers from other parts of
India.
I could enumerate a long
list of reasons why I am deeply enamored by Rajasthan, even though I have
barely explored its entirety. This fact alone, makes my desire to come back to
India and pass by Rajasthan again, as one of my main travel goals in the coming
year. As I said ‘Rajasthan is always on my mind’, and for a good cause it there
to stay.
